English Lessons at 85 Help Seniors Limit Japan Unemployment

Keiko Awaya wasn’t allowed to major in English at college because her nation was at war with the U.S. at the time. Now 85, her readiness to use savings to fulfill a decades-delayed dream is part of a wave of spending by the elderly that’s aiding the Japanese economy.

“At my age, I thought it was OK to spend that much money because I don’t have many years to go,” said Awaya, who has paid 1.3 million yen ($16,000) each for two month-long study-abroad packages offered by Tokyo-based Ikiiki Co., one to Boston and another to England. To keep herself fit for overseas trips, Awaya goes to a gym twice a week.